****Live from the Escape Transatlantic****

[#55worktoplay]

to say that I came across this not because I have ever been on NCL but I do have a cruise certificate from a casino and was thinking I would enjoy the escape.

 

I have just read this whole review up to no and I am loving it. Even laughed out loud at "you screaming, the shaving guy screaming and his wife screaming" yes it was scary to think your card worked in their room but it was also funny to read.

 

Well we both come from the same town, I am a few years older than you are and I love to gamble also. My hubby does not like to cruise anymore due to the last one we were on together our dog died, it was absolutely devastating so we had to get another dog. He won't leave this dog behind so any cruising I do is with the girls now, many hours spent in the casino too.

 

I would not say that I will ever be on a transatlantic but hope to sail with you in the future.

 

Have a great trip and thanks for the work involved in writing the review.

[riddle]

I had an experience while hospitalized with the same or similar pain and itching. Turns out i was allergic to the padding they had under me. Of course I was in a hospital and they had nothing for itching??? It was so ignored that my husband had to call the surgeon to get some action.

 

I always say don't sweat the small stuff on a cruise but a major pain in the butt goes over and beyond that. Just a thought - did it bother your feel when you showered or just more sensitive skin?

[tartan cruiser]

Loving your review. I love the casino too, especially the slots. I was curious what hours Margaritaville is open? Also is the food menu limited to certain hours or is food always available? Sounds like a good place for a snack and a margarita after a show or before I head to the casino. Sorry if this has been answered already. I saw the menu on another thread but couldn't find anything regarding hours. Thanks for the info.

[SuiteCruiser]

Sally, I love your posts so much that I find myself watching for your updates. It's feels like reading a favorite book. I must confess the fact that I even read of your past adventures. You sound like so much fun and are a fine example of a person that makes the best of a situation so it is always a fun experience. My kind of person. Wish you were on the 4-30-16 cruise so we could meet. I sincerely hope you get to the bottom (no pun intended) of your health situations. Both bum related and breathing related.

 

~Penny~

 

You're so very kind :) I always think I'm boring everyone with the details and love hearing that some are enjoying it :)

 

Bum is starting to heal, will likely itch like crazy in the process, but will probably wait until I'm ready to board the plane and then it will start LOL.

 

I'll be on the Gem April 30th, but one day hopefully we'll connect. I spend many days on the seas, but only blog through the transatlantics.

[SuiteCruiser]

OMG Sally - I've been a 'silent' reader enjoying up until now but I must open my mouth to remind you of one thing......

 

Photos! Any good lawyer wants photos. Don't forget to have Judy take some!

 

LOL

 

Harriet

 

Too funny Harriet, but I did have Mindi take some 😳 and it was my only opportunity to see what a mess there was back there. We're now officially friends for life, and she's even a better friend as she insisted on using my phone for the deed. I had to take random photos quickly after so my baboon butt didn't show up in the small square of previous photos and scare anyone.

[SuiteCruiser]

to say that I came across this not because I have ever been on NCL but I do have a cruise certificate from a casino and was thinking I would enjoy the escape.

 

I have just read this whole review up to no and I am loving it. Even laughed out loud at "you screaming, the shaving guy screaming and his wife screaming" yes it was scary to think your card worked in their room but it was also funny to read.

 

Well we both come from the same town, I am a few years older than you are and I love to gamble also. My hubby does not like to cruise anymore due to the last one we were on together our dog died, it was absolutely devastating so we had to get another dog. He won't leave this dog behind so any cruising I do is with the girls now, many hours spent in the casino too.

 

I would not say that I will ever be on a transatlantic but hope to sail with you in the future.

 

Have a great trip and thanks for the work involved in writing the review.

 

Nice to meet you :) Sorry to hear about your dog, that's very sad. Judy and I cruise several times a year and would welcome another Ottawan on our escapades :)

Edited November 6, 2015 by SuiteCruiser

[SuiteCruiser]

a couple of questions

 

what are the hours of the vibe and the vibe bar?

 

what's different about the O Sheehans menu - I've heard no mozzarella sticks or prime rib nights

 

Vibe was only open for the first time today, but my understanding is that it would be 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM for the bar to be open. Your key card should work anytime.

 

O'Sheehan's has lost the chicken pot pie, and added Shepherd's pie, I've heard the mozzerella sticks are gone, chicken fingers are gone (I used to love those with buffalo sauce for dipping). Haven't seen Prime Rib offered there, one night was rib night, and tonight they had a seafood platter on offer.

[SuiteCruiser]

I had an experience while hospitalized with the same or similar pain and itching. Turns out i was allergic to the padding they had under me. Of course I was in a hospital and they had nothing for itching??? It was so ignored that my husband had to call the surgeon to get some action.

 

I always say don't sweat the small stuff on a cruise but a major pain in the butt goes over and beyond that. Just a thought - did it bother your feel when you showered or just more sensitive skin?

 

Sounds like a nasty hospital experience :( I'm not allergic to anything, thankfully.

 

No issue with my feet. I'd had several showers before the "incident" too.

 

I have a follow up with the doctor tomorrow, I keep telling people who ask that they want to see my ass up in the medical center again on Friday.

Edited November 6, 2015 by SuiteCruiser

[SuiteCruiser]

Loving your review. I love the casino too, especially the slots. I was curious what hours Margaritaville is open? Also is the food menu limited to certain hours or is food always available? Sounds like a good place for a snack and a margarita after a show or before I head to the casino. Sorry if this has been answered already. I saw the menu on another thread but couldn't find anything regarding hours. Thanks for the info.

 

I've heard that Margaritaville is open for breakfast, but haven't been there for that. Otherwise for lunch or snack, it's been open 11 AM to 5 PM. It's not a dinner venue at all. The 5 O'Clock somewhere bar is on Deck 8 and open late, with a live band playing, and would be a good place for a drink and some fun after a show. Right next door is Tobacco Road which is much quieter, comfy seating, so that's good too.

[SuiteCruiser]

Day 8

 

Spent the morning in Vibe, looking out at the ocean, sun shining, drink in hand. It was just perfect.

 

The guys kept filtering in and it brought me back to last year when we'd spend every morning with them in Posh. So great to catch up with them all.

 

Back to Food Republic for shrimp for lunch (amazing every single time) and then back to Vibe for a bit, then Mindi and I went back to my cabin so I could get my chips and casino card. No messages, so I'm guessing the attack of the tubs is in motion, but it would be good to get an update.

 

Onto the casino where every table I went to I lost, so I decided to go reset and read for a bit, ended up falling asleep for a couple of hours. Back to the casino and I was still a bit groggy, so we decided to play 3 card, but not "yell at the dealer" as I didn't have the energy for it. First hand another guy joined us. One of the pit bosses came over from our side of the table and we were chatting about the no smoking and I said the word was that they were going to build a smoking section, and he thought they would have already done it. I said it was because it wasn't part of the scope of work of the contract, so they're adding it later.

 

Dude that joined us throws his cards in and says to Mindi "chat chat chat" So apparently you aren't supposed to talk as you play. Ironically, I was playing blind, so there was zero hold up of the game and we were talking for a total of 2 minutes.

 

The supervisor asked Mindi what he said, so she told him and the guy came back to say to Mindi "I heard you telling them". Like, what? He was so incredibly rude. Some people are just so miserable all of the time.

 

On the other hand, we've seen a few people around the ship and they ask if we're the "Heart Heart Heart, Three Three Three" (or variations on that) ladies and we said yes and they said they so enjoyed watching it. LOL :)

 

We played for a bit, then to the slots for a bit again, but it just wasn't working. It was getting close to dinner as we had a late reservation 9:15 in Cagney's. Gavin has been really sick with a sinus infection, Mindi's also battling one, but he wanted to tackle the 32 oz porterhouse, so ordered it. I had the prime rib again and it was as good as the first time. Judy had the surf and turf. Gavin put a pretty good dent in the steak but was having a tough time swallowing as his throat is really sore, so ended up having to wrap up the rest and take it back to his room.

 

They asked what I wanted for dessert and I said "Nothing, thanks!", asked Judy and she and Gavin split a chocolate brownie. They brought the brownie, and then they brought my dessert...it was a plate with "Nothing" written on it in caramel sauce. Too funny!

 

Back to the casino and we went in from the aft, so stopped at the table near Skyline where the tunes were pumping full blast, and played "Rock n Roll Poker" for a couple of hours, all of us singing along with all of the old and new dance tunes. Very fun and I'm looking forward to it again tonight :)

 

Judy and I played some slots into the wee hours, and I went back to my cabin and there were some chocolates there with another card from the HD, which was nice.

 

Slept until around 10:00 and back up to Vibe for more sun. Wish we had another week of this, having a blast and especially loving the opportunity for time in the sun.

 

Again, apologies for any typos as I can barely see my screen.

 

I really want to thank all of you who comment and are following along. I'm not responding to each comment, but want you to know it's so nice to read them when I crawl into bed at 3:00 AM :)

[tartan cruiser]

Thanks so much for the info on Margaritaville. Didn't realize it wasn't on 8. I'll have to take a better look at the deck plans of Escape. Really enjoy reading your posts and following along. You sound like someone I'd like to have on my cruise. Full of fun!

[IrieBajan54]

No issue with my feet. I'd had several showers before the "incident" too.

 

 

Got to be the fact that your butt is more sensitive than your soles.

Edited November 6, 2015 by IrieBajan54

[lvcrzn]

SALLY ( love the name...same as my mom's)

Thank you millions for the reviews. I can't wait to log in and read your "amazing adventures!!"

I want to purchase VIBE PASSES for my daughter and myself however we sail the end of January and I'm told it might be too cold up there. Any thoughts??

P.s. REMEMBER WHEN YOU ENTER THE CASINO....GOTTA HUNCH; BET A BUNCH

[MoyCoy]

Thank you for your wonderful review! We are sailing the Escape in 30 days. We are super excited. I was considering purchasing a spa pass. Have you had a chance to try out the spa yet?

 

 

Also you mentioned you were writing the previous post while sunbathing in Vibe. How is the internet on the Escape. Are they selling internet packages by the day or by the minute?

Edited November 6, 2015 by MoyCoy

[lvcrzn]

SALLY ( love the name...same as my mom's)

Thank you millions for the reviews. I can't wait to log in and read your "amazing adventures!!"

I want to purchase VIBE PASSES for my daughter and myself however we sail the end of January and I'm told it might be too cold up there. Any thoughts??

P.s. REMEMBER WHEN YOU ENTER THE CASINO....GOTTA HUNCH; BET A BUNCH

[lottsomom]

Thanks so much for your review I'm really enjoying it (dh and I are both big gamblers). My DH and I will be doing our first NCL cruise on this ship in Jan and can't wait. We were wanting to know cause we have heard different things, is there bowling lanes in O'Sheehans? Thanks in advance.

[#55worktoplay]

Hello Neighbour :)

 

I have been enjoying this review so much I had to go and read your past ones and they were all equally very good. I read them all so I am all caught up with who's who!!

 

You had me laughing out loud again with all of those drunken naked men in the GV - hilarious!!!

 

I hope your butt is better!!

 

Enjoy the rest of your cruise.

 

What cruise are you and Judy going on next?

[sheffield]

I am really enjoying your posts. Could you tell me if the casino is non smoking or do they have a non smoking side?

Thanks

[SuiteCruiser]

Day 9

 

Vibe was really fun stayed until 3PM, with a short break for my shrimp at Food Republic. I walked up first and was greeted with "Hi Sally!" I guess that's understandable since we've been there for lunch most days.

 

Down to get spruced up for our early dinner in the Haven, confirmed that the HD's secretary would meet us outside of the Haven restaurant and a couple of hours in the casino. Lost some at UTH and decided to play Let It Ride just myself and the dealer. I went through $100 and on my last hand went "all in" with $20 on pair plus and I got a mini royal :) $1000 :)

 

A few hands later, he gave me a full house! I was so excited to finally win something! Maybe today will be my day!

 

Played a bit more, and then went to meet Judy, Mindi and Gavin for drinks before the Haven. Mindi and I got there first and there was a table beside us of people talking about Canadian stuff, so I started chatting with them. The guy was saying what a horrible cruise this has been. I was so surprised, and he started listing off all of the evils like the internet is slow (it is-NCL you cheaped out on something that you're charging us tons of money for) their food was cold at Margaritaville today, he ordered a mimosa in the main dining room and they said they didn't have any champagne. He then said I'll just have orange juice then and they charged him for the mimosa. Lots of little things, but really, in the grand scheme of things, I don't think I'd consider it all a horror.

 

Off to the Haven where we waited, and waited and waited for the secretary to come. I called her several times and the line was busy. She finally answered and said she was waiting for us in the atrium. ??? I had just called her a few hours ago to confirm and she said she would meet us at the Haven. She finally showed up (now this is only 15 minutes or so, so no big deal) it only felt like an eternity, because there was nowhere to sit and I was struggling with the whole breathing thing.

 

She said Sean wanted to come by to say hi, but he was in a meeting.

 

The Haven Restaurant is absolutely beautiful. It's much smaller that the Epic, but the decor is more sophisticated. The have these gorgeous chargers as well, and we had a really lovely banquette and chairs on the other side. They gave me a wine list for a complimentary bottle and I ordered our new favourite Beringer Founder's Estate Cabernet Sauvignon. A very nice wine and good find that Judy discovered on the Sky last month.

 

We ordered the shrimp cocktail, fois gras, mushroom ravioli, bouillabaise and risotto for apps, many to share for a taste. All were really good. Mains were prime rib, lobster and the lamb. They had four servers that served everything in unison which is a bit corny these days, but still nice. Everything tasted great, except Gavin's medium rare lamb was medium well, or well done and just tasted of salt. We passed on our thanks and our comments onto the chef, most of which was excellent feedback.

 

We had the Brat Pack "For the Record" show at 8:00, so headed down there, and we were so glad we'd already eaten as we tasted a few bites, and other than the caprese salad the food was not very good at all. I had expected that as it was that way in Cirque, but that wouldn't have mattered anyway because the show as AMAZING. So cool the way they integrated all of the movies and the talent of the cast was out of this world. I'm not a big fan of the shows, used to go to them all of the time, but it's really not my thing. I would see this one again, no question.

 

After the show we went up to the casino and we played some Let It Ride again and lost, went back to the aft pit for Rock n Roll poker, and lost lots of money, just could not hit a thing. The DJ never showed up to Skyline either, so that was very lame. I left and headed back to the main pit and saw my Let It Ride dealer at 3 card. Sat down and a few hands in got two sevens, didn't look at the 3rd one, and he turned it and 777 :) This guy was just so amazing for me all day long. We had a lot of fun at the table with a new group of people.

 

We went back to the aft pit, played a bit of UTH, but got closed down and headed back to the front pit and to the Flintstones slot machine. It's one of those really loud (even on quiet setting) machines with a huge screen and set to lure people to it. I hadn't played at all so sad down, put my money in and spun and hit a bonus :) then another and another, and all kinds of crazy things were going on. I ended up winning $350 there, and then moved to the next machine that was a Wizard of Oz one and same thing, won $650 there. I couldn't believe it. Cashed out and went to Wheel of Fortune and Mindi and I went in on it together, she had just borrowed $300 from me and wasn't having any luck. We hit the spin and got $30, kept going and then got another spin and hit $300 and went crazy. Another spin and $!50. we played a bit more, but luck ran out, so cashed out. What a great day, finally :) I'm still down but this helps a lot.

 

We went to O'Sheehan's as it was 3AM and we were hungry again, had a burger and Mindi had her Shepherd's Pie. Back to my cabin and there was another plate of chocolates from Sean, along with a nice bottle of wine. They've really been great. Off to bed and now I'm back up in Vibe after stopping at guest services to put down $2K on my account. We thankfully set the clocks back another hour last night. Internet has been horrible today, I hope I get this uploaded. It's our last day :(

[SuiteCruiser]

SALLY ( love the name...same as my mom's)

Thank you millions for the reviews. I can't wait to log in and read your "amazing adventures!!"

I want to purchase VIBE PASSES for my daughter and myself however we sail the end of January and I'm told it might be too cold up there. Any thoughts??

P.s. REMEMBER WHEN YOU ENTER THE CASINO....GOTTA HUNCH; BET A BUNCH

 

Out of Miami you'll be fine. Even if it's a bit chilly day one, it's still well worth it.

[wahmx3]

I think I am as sorry as you are that it's your last day! I have loved reading your journey. We are doing our first NCL cruise on The Escape but have to wait until May. Hope I like it, otherwise I am going back to RCL. By the way, nice to see a fellow Canadian, we live in PEI.

[debnjoe1438]

Hello, enjoyed reading about your trip, on one hand, sorry it's ending. On the other hand, the Escape will be home in Miami and my cruise a little closer. :)

[cruise4family]

I've enjoyed your review and very much appreciate the time you've taken to give details and information. Hope your medical situation has improved. I'll be on the Breakaway in August and noticed that you ate in the Haven and the menu is different from what is currently being served on other ships. Do you think you can post pictures of the new lunch and dinner menus in the Haven? I know that they posted pictures on the NCL Fbook, but they are very hard to read. I wonder if these new Haven menus will be going fleet wide in January. I'm glad you have enjoyed your trip. Have a safe trip back home.

[WhenIsOurNextCruise]

Cruising is all about the casino for me too. Wondering if you play Video Poker or have noticed what kind of machines they have.

 

Enjoying your fun cruise!

[cmdchiefthom]

Thanks so much for sharing your TA adventure, it was a great narrative!!!!!:D